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Beach CoveBlog

The Myrtle Beach Marathon is less than one month away

The weekend-long event features several races so runners of all levels can get in on the fun. A huge post-race bash is held at the House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach after the marathon.

Here are the planned events:

Bi-Lo Myrtle BeachMarathon - 6:30 a.m. Feb. 18, 2012

The main event, the Bi-Lo Marathon, is a USATF certified race and is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. Runners enjoy the flat, fast-pace of the course as well as the beach view. The course starts at 21st Avenue North in Myrtle Beach and winds through The Market Common before heading north up Ocean Boulevard. All finishers in the race receive a finisher’s medal, and awards are also given for the top three female finishers, top three male finishers as well as the top three male and female master’s finishers.

The record finishing time for the race (2:28:33) was set in 2008 by Garick Hill of Winston Salem, N.C. Last year’s race was won by Kathleen Castles of New Providence, N.J., with a finishing time of 2:40:11. Registration for the Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon is $120, and the event is limited to 3,000 participants.

Dasani Half Marathon – 6:30 a.m. Feb. 18, 2012

The Dasani Half Marathon’s course is part of the full marathon’s route. Finishers also receive a finisher’s medal, and awards are given to the top three men and women as well as the top three masters’ men and women. Age group awards are also presented.

Registration for the Dasani Half Marathon is $110, and the event is limited to 5,000 runners. Expo registration is discouraged as the race often sells out before the expo.

RBC Bank 5K – 7 p.m. Feb. 17, 2012

The RBC Bank 5K takes runners around the Broadway at the Beach complex, ending at Coastal BB&T Field.

Registration is $35, and the event is limited to 2,000 runners.

Ripley’s Family Fun Run – 5:30 p.m. Feb. 18, 2012

The Ripley’s Family Fun Run is a one-mile course open to runners of all ages. The event starts and ends in front of Ripley’s Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach. The event supports Horry County Schools, and the school with the most participants receives a traveling trophy. Seaside Elementary in Garden City Beach has won the trophy every year.